Cabinet meets; approves High Density Apple Plantation Scheme

The Cabinet which met in Jammu on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accorded sanction to the implementation of the ‘High Density Apple Plantation Scheme’ by the Horticulture department.
Pertinently in his 2015-16 Budget speech, state’s finance minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu had announced establishment of High Density Plantation Orchards in the state and earmarked Rs 150 cr under the ‘Secure Horticulture Future’ initiative, envisaging raising average production from the current level of 10 MT/Ha to the international level of 40-70 MT/Ha.

The spokesman said that under the scheme the normative expenditure and sharing pattern (per Ha) will be 100 % in respect of public sector and 50:50 basis between state government and beneficiaries in respect of private sector. The Horticulture Department shall sign MoU with the beneficiary clearly mentioning the role and responsibilities of stake holders together with normative cost and sharing pattern and other terms and conditions envisaged in the proposal.

The planting material shall firstly be procured by the department at 100% cost and then 10% cost shall be recovered from the beneficiaries against delivery which shall be deposited in the Government Treasury. The source of funding shall be met from Capex Budget provisions for 2016-17.

Spokesman further said that the Cabinet instructed the Horticulture department to work out a similar scheme for Mango and Apricot Plantation also.